Performance
Score Breakdown
Burlington
Gaithersburg
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Burlington is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
34% lower compared to Gaithersburg.
Housing costs are a major driver: Burlington's average rent is
12% lower than Gaithersburg's.
| Metric | Burlington | Gaithersburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,742 | $1,988 | -12% |
| Groceries | $373 | $757 | -51% |
| Utilities | $115 | $406 | -72% |
| Transport | $106 | $369 | -71% |
| Healthcare | $55 | $119 | -54% |
| Monthly Total | $2,391 | $3,639 | -34% |
| Cost Index | 138 | 134 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Gaithersburg offers 18% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Gaithersburg delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Burlington is estimated at
$61,000 vs $106,000 in Gaithersburg.
| Metric | Burlington | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,855 | $64,600 |
| Salary Needed | $61,000 | $106,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 38,301 idx | 48,209 idx |
| Household Income | $80,300 | $112,467 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Burlington | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Gaithersburg scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Burlington leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Burlington | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Walkability | 43.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 65.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Burlington is the larger city
— approximately 2.9x the population of Gaithersburg.
From a growth perspective, Burlington is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Gaithersburg has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Burlington | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,484 | 69,825 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.43% |
| Median Age | 44.4 | 37.8 |
| Unemployment | 6.60% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Burlington
Advantages
Burlington consistently ranks among the top livable cities in Canada, recognized for its high quality of life.
The city and the broader Halton Region maintain low crime rates, with violent crime decreasing for the third consecutive year in 2025.
Burlington offers a diverse and thriving economy with job growth in sectors like Healthcare, Advanced Manufacturing, and Biomedical & Life Sciences.
Its strategic location provides excellent access to major job markets and cultural centers in Toronto and Hamilton, with convenient transit options.
The city boasts significant natural beauty, including the Lake Ontario waterfront and the Niagara Escarpment, offering abundant outdoor recreational opportunities.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Burlington is significantly higher than the national average, with a cost of living index of 138.
Housing costs are particularly high, with average rents and property prices exceeding national and provincial averages.
Despite overall low regional crime, Burlington's specific crime rate was the highest in the Halton Region in 2025, particularly for property crimes.
The city is largely car-dependent, with limited walkability outside of downtown areas.
Some residents note a limited nightlife, with many establishments closing by 10 PM on weekdays.
Gaithersburg
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Burlington
#2Ontario, Canada
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,742
Avg Salary
$52,855
Cost Index
138
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
43.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
6.60%
Livability
81
Business
70
Gaithersburg
#31Maryland, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,988
Avg Salary
$64,600
Cost Index
134
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
60.0/10
Walkability
30.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.43%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
78
Business
75
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